On my calendar for July 21, 2017, at 7 a.m. it reads, "street photography | location: downtown chicago."

If I don't book my time, I will not do something.

Lately, I've been charging myself with eschewing social media, the news, and general distractions to concentrate on me, my art and creativity.

I'm trying to build new habits and give up on ones that are mentally or even physically distracting from productivity.

Just like working out, there are times when even if it's in my schedule, I'll almost do anything to trick myself from going. But I was determined. And I went.

Armed with a Panasonic GH5 and a Hasselblad H5D-40, I set out. I drove down, left the Hasselblad in the car and just shot the GH5. I did both video and stills.

When I got back to the car, I thought, "Fuck it. I'll end today. I got some good stuff. I'm headed home."

I text Tina to tell her I was on my way. Then I looked up and saw an image that I needed to take. I reached for the door handle, stepped back out, opened the back door where my cameras were, and pulled out the Hasselblad.

I took this image:

I text Tina afterward and said, "Nix that. I'm headed out with the Hassy."

So off I went.

I took photos for another hour. I met some people.

Like a woman who saw me and yelled out: "Hey, Camera Man!"

She was sitting outside at a Dunkin Donuts across from Columbia college. "What camera is that?"

I told her.

"Wow! What are you a fashion photographer?"

"I'm mainly portraits and interiors."

"You gotta come talk to my class. I teach across the street." She pointed at Columbia.

"Cool!"

We exchanged info.

Here's her image. She called herself "The Pope."

After that I took a portrait of a guy. He asked for $10 to photograph him.

We did a short seven or eight frame session.

I said, "What's your name?"

"<unintellible multi syllable word>" he responded.

"What?"

"<unintellible multi syllable word>" he repeated.

"I'm not sure what you're saying," I said.

"Well, my friends call me: T to the M to the ACK."

"T-mack?"

"Yes!" He pointed my way.

"T-mack it is!"

Here's his portrait:

I also took more shots that I loved.

You can view those below. Enjoy.